A 74-YEAR-OLD former runner and long-term athletics organiser will be one of the Olympic Flame torchbearers when it arrives in Swansea in May.

John Collins 74, of Killay, Swansea who for decades has been an organiser with the Swansea Harriers is one of 7,000 people who will carry the torch on its journey around the UK.

He said: “It’s going to be a real privilege to be involved with the Olympics in this way.”

The UK’s oldest full-time firefighter, an 82-year-old runner and a sport-loving youngster who makes other people feel positive despite being paralysed from the neck down have all been named as London 2012 Olympic torchbearers. Many are members of the public who have been picked because they are unsung heroes.

The iconic flame will arrive in Swansea on Saturday, May 26, as part of its journey through the UK. Torchbearers will start carrying the Flame at Langdon Road at around 5.45pm before it travels over Swansea’s Sail Bridge and on to Princess Way and Castle Square for about 6pm.

The flame will then travel up Princess Way and will take a left along the Kingsway, St Helen’s Road and Mumbles Road before reaching Sketty Lane and finally Singleton Park.

An evening celebration event will be held on a big stage at the park from 5pm to 7.30pm featuring a selection of music, dance and sports activities. Tickets will be free.

The flame will restart its journey on Sunday, May 27, from Bracelet Bay, Mumbles, at about 6.55am before making its way through Mumbles and up Newton Road to Oystermouth Castle.

The flame will return from the Castle and will then travel along Mumbles Road, Sketty Lane and Vivian Road on the way to Cockett Road before finally making its way to Carmarthenshire.

The 70-day Olympic Torch Relay will start at Land’s End in Cornwall on May 19 before travelling an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK.

Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee, said: “The Flame symbolises the Olympic spirit and its journey around the UK will bring the excitement of the Games to our streets.”

The flame’s journey will end at the Olympic Stadium in London on July 27 for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony.